Can people with excessive dampness drink mung bean soup?

Aug 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, people with excessive dampness can drink mung bean soup, but it is not advisable to consume it in large quantities. Consumption should be moderate to avoid excessive intake that may lead to spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, causing discomfort such as abdominal distension and diarrhea. For individuals with weaker spleen and stomach function, it is recommended to cook the mung beans until soft or to cook them together with glutinous rice to reduce their cold property. It is not advisable to drink mung bean soup on an empty stomach; instead, it is better to consume it in moderation after meals.

Under normal circumstances, people with excessive dampness can consume mung bean soup, but excessive consumption is not recommended. Detailed explanation is as follows:

Mung beans are cool in nature and possess functions of clearing heat, relieving summerheat, promoting diuresis, and reducing edema. They can help eliminate damp-heat pathogens from the body. For individuals experiencing symptoms of internal heat such as dry mouth, bitter taste, yellow and greasy tongue coating, or dark yellow urine due to excessive dampness, moderate consumption of mung bean soup can help alleviate discomfort and promote the metabolism of dampness and fluids. Drinking mung bean soup during hot and humid summer weather can also provide cooling effects. Moreover, mung bean soup has a refreshing taste and is generally well accepted.

However, consumption should be moderate to avoid excessive intake which may lead to spleen and stomach cold deficiency, causing discomfort such as abdominal distension and diarrhea. Those with weak digestive function may cook the mung beans until soft or cook them together with glutinous rice to reduce their cold nature. It is not advisable to drink mung bean soup on an empty stomach; instead, it's better to consume an appropriate amount after meals. Additionally, chilled mung bean soup should be avoided to prevent gastrointestinal irritation. If gastrointestinal discomfort occurs after consumption, the amount should be reduced or consumption discontinued altogether.